Pouch forming mechanism

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for forming a pouch from a blank of web material includes a rectangular forming plunger provided with tucking fingers and operates to shape the blank into a pouch structure having a flat bottom and flat sides. The plunger is reciprocally driven between side edge folders and the tucking fingers form gusset flaps in the side edges of the blank during the advance of the blank to the folders.

United States Patent Woodruff et al.

[54] POUCH FORMING MECHANISM [72] Inventors: George M. Woodruif, Nyack; Oscar W. Stoeckll, Rye, both "of N.Y.; Joseph G.

Shando, Dover, Del.

[73] Assignee: General Foods Corporation, White Plains,

[22] Filed: March 12, 1970 211 Appl.No.: 26,467

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 610,367, Jan. 19, 1967, Pat. No.

s2 u.s.cl; .;.,..93/l2R,93/5lR 51 no.0. .mrbrlzs [58] Field ofSearch ..93/l2 R, 12C, 51R

[ 51 June 27, 1972 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,873,655 2/1959 Johnson et a1 ..93/5l Boone... Reinecke ..93/l2 R X Primary Examiner-Remard Stickney Attorney-Le Fever, Quillinan & Hubbard [57] ABSTRACT A mechanism for forming a pouch from a blank of web material includes a rectangular forming plunger provided with tucking fingers and operates to shape the blank into a pouch structure having a flat bottom and flat sides. The plunger is reciprocally driven between side edge folders and the tucking fingers form gusset flaps in the side edges of the blank during the advance of the blank to the folders.

5 Claims, 36 Drawing Figures PKTENTEBJm 7 m2 sum 02 or 19 PATENT0Jun21 m2 3.672.264

sum as or 19 llll Ullllllllllllllllll PMENTEflJum m2 sum as or 19 P'ATENTEDJum m2 SHEET 07 0F 19 P'ATENIEDJum I972 SHEET 08'UF19 PATENTl-Imum 1912 sum 10 or 19 PATENTEnJum m2 SHEEI 11 0F 19 NNM m ww

mmw

PATENTEDJUNN I972 3,572,2 4"

sum 12 or 19 PATENTEDJum m2 SHEET 13 0F 19 PA'TENTEDaum m2 SHEET 1 0F 19 Ill lllll l llllllllllll lllllllll II I P'ATE'N'TEmum 1972 sum 15 or 19 

1. In a packaging apparatus, means for forming gusset-type pouches out of a rectangular blank of flexible packaging material comprising, a. a plunger mounted for reciprocal movement in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said blank and disposed to engage one surface of said blank during its forward operative stroke, said plunger having a rectangular end and cross section, the dimensions of which are substantially less than the dimensions of said rectangular blank, b. means for supporting said blank in perpendicular relation to the stroke of said plunger, said supporting means defining an opening to accommodate said plunger during its forward operative stroke, c. a side-edge folder at each side of said blank, said side-edge folders being spaced apart the width of said plunger and disposed to receive therebetween said plunger during its forward operative stroke, said plunger operating to fold over said blank against its top and bottom faces as it pushes the blank through the opening defined by said supporting means, said side edge folders operating to draw together the laterally extending side edges of the folded-over blank while folding said side edges against the side surfaces of said plunger, and d. tucking fingers carried by said plunger for engaging the leading side edge portions of said folded-over blank and folding said portions into a gusset flap before said plunger carries said blank into engagement with said side-edge folding members.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein, a. said fingers are pivotally mounted near the forward end of said plunger at each side thereof and in their open position extend laterally of the sides of said plunger, said fingers being rockable to a closed position wherein they extend forwardly of the end of said plunger and flush with the sides of said plunger, said fingers in rocking from open to closed position gathering in excess blank material and folding same into a gusset flap.
 3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein, a. said fingers are operated under control of a fixed cam.
 4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein, a. at least the marginal side edge portions of said blank include a heat-sealable substance, and b. said side-edge folding members are heated to bring said marginal portions to a temperature enabling heat-sealing thereof.
 5. The invention according to claim 4 including, a. pressure-applying members in registration with said side-edge folders for bonding the opposed side edges of said blank together while in the heated condition and continuing to advance same through said folders, said pressure-applying members operating to strip said blank in its sealed condition from said plunger. 